Tennessee's Rajion Neal (20) cannot hold on to a pass as Kentucky's Avery Williamson (40), from Milan, applies defensive pressure in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Lexington, Ky., Saturday.
AP
Tennessee's Rajion Neal (20) cannot hold on to a pass as Kentucky's Avery Williamson (40) applies defensive pressure in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013. (AP Photo/Garry Jones) Garry Jones AP

Vanderbilt's Zac Stacy, left, is wrapped up by Kentucky's Avery Williamson during the second quarter at Commonwealth Stadium. AP
Vanderbilt's Zac Stacy, left, is wrapped up by Kentucky's Avery Williamson during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012. Vanderbilt won 40-0. (AP Photo/ James Crisp) James Crisp AP

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The Titans hope Williamson, who piled up 237 tackles and four sacks in his final two seasons with the Wildcats, will be just as productive on the NFL level. The defense is switching to more of a 3-4 under a new coaching staff.

"He has great intangibles. He's a leadership-type player," Titans director of college scouting Blake Beddingfield said. "He can probably play multiple positions as well as special teams. This is a guy that's been productive on a very high level of football versus very good competition."

Williamson said it looked as if he might be a seventh-round pick or an undrafted free agent, primarily because of questions about his speed. But he apparently impressed scouts during the NFL Combine and in private workouts.

"I feel like I showed the scouts I had the speed and I was strong enough and moved well enough that I can play in the NFL," he said. "I feel like that was the big deciding factor."

Williamson will get a chance to play alongside another former Kentucky player, inside linebacker Wesley Woodyard, who signed with the Titans in March after six seasons with the Broncos.

"The first thing I thought of was I'll be able to play beside Wesley. I'll have somebody great to look up to and guide me in my first year," he said. "... The fact I'll be a teammate of him is crazy. I'm in shock right now."